WILD DUCKS AND DUCK DECOYING 155 



Scandinavian peninsula. In Norway, a? in some 

 other places, this bird is protected by law, though 

 only to be persecuted the more persistently by 

 private individuals. On one island, that of Isafjar- 

 darjup, the eider ducks are said to nest in thousands. 

 Speaking of the breeding sites by the shore, Mr 

 Shepherd, who visited the colony, tells us that the 

 brown ducks sat upon their nests in masses, and at 

 every step started from beneath his feet. On this 

 island, of three-quarters of a mile in length, it was 

 difficult to walk without stepping into the nests. 

 The island was one that was farmed. A thick stone 

 breakwater ran along its coasts just above high- 

 water mark. At the bottom and sides of the wall, 

 alternate stones had been left so as to form a series of 

 compartments for the ducks to nest in. Every 

 compartment was tenanted, and as the visitors 

 walked along the ducks flew out all along the line. 

 These were welcomed by the white drakes, which 

 were tossing on the water, " with loud and clamorous 

 cooing." A farmhouse on the island was tenanted 

 in like manner. The house itself was " a great 

 marvel." Ducks were hatching on the turf walls 

 which surrounded it, in the window embrasures, on 

 the ground, on the roof. " The house was fringed 

 with ducks," and " a duck sat in the scraper." Then 

 a grassy bank close by was cut into squares, every 

 one of which was occupied. A windmill was packed; 



